Student Climate Survey, Spring 1998.

Every three years, Truckee Meadows Community College (Nevada) administers a student climate survey that measures the attitudes, perceptions, and opinions of its student population. The instrument used to survey the student body was designed with three basic objectives in mind: (1) validate the institutional mission; (2) obtain input regarding the relevance of programs and services; and (3) access the on-campus climate and educational atmosphere. The topics addressed in this survey include: (1) Institutional Mission; (2) Education & Instruction; (3) Student Life; and (4) Factors Associated with Influencing a Student's Decision to Attend the college. Seventy-three percent of the 476 respondents indicated that the function of the College to "offer associate degree programs so that students can transfer to a four-year college to continue their studies toward a bachelor's degree" is "very important" and 71% indicated that the College is doing "excellent" in performing that function. Fifty-eight percent indicated that offering hands-on work experience (i.e. internships) for students is "very important" while 45% indicated that the College is doing "excellent" or "good" in this area. Students' decision to attend were frequently influenced by factors such as low to moderate cost, small class size, availability of a particular major, and the opportunity to work while attending school. (JA)